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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the Trump administration is being outwitted by Iran's leadership after negotiations in Islamabad collapsed.

This comes as Russian forces withdrew from Kidal in northern Mali following coordinated attacks, global military spending reportedly reached a record $2.89 trillion in 2025, and China threatened retaliation over the EU's Made in Europe plan.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Germany's Merz says Iran humiliating US in talks: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the Trump administration is being outwitted by Iran's leadership after negotiations in Islamabad collapsed without progress. The German chancellor's sharp criticism is expected to worsen already-strained relations between Washington and European NATO members.

2️⃣ 🇲🇱 Russian forces withdraw from northern Mali city: Russian forces pulled out of Kidal following coordinated attacks by separatist and Islamist groups, with the Azawad Liberation Front claiming control of the city. The weekend offensive spread across multiple cities, and Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing at his residence near the capital.

3️⃣ 🇨🇩🇺🇸 DRC to create US-backed mining security force: The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to establish a $100 million paramilitary unit backed by the US and UAE to secure mining sites, aiming to deploy over 20,000 guards by 2028. The initiative is part of Washington’s effort to secure access to critical minerals as the DRC struggles with rebel groups for control of resource-rich territories.

4️⃣ 🌍💰 Global military spending hits record $2.9 trillion: Global defense expenditure reached $2.89 trillion in 2025, driven primarily by a 14% increase in European spending to $864 billion, with Germany and Spain surpassing NATO’s 2% GDP target. US military spending declined 7.5% to $954 billion after Ukraine aid was not approved, though the Pentagon has requested $1.5 trillion for fiscal 2027, while Asia increased spending 8.1% to $681 billion.

5️⃣ 🇨🇳🇪🇺 China warns of countermeasures over EU industrial plan: China threatened retaliation if the EU proceeds with its Made in Europe plan requiring companies seeking public funds in sectors like cars and green technology to meet local content thresholds. Beijing’s commerce ministry called the proposal systemic discrimination after the EU unveiled the rules in March to bolster industries against Chinese competition.

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Major Story

🇮🇷 Iran War Update

Diplomatic

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Iran proposes Hormuz deal separate from nuclear negotiations: Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi conducted a 72-hour diplomatic tour across Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, advancing a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while deferring nuclear discussions with Washington. Pakistan is transmitting the plan to the U.S. following failed direct talks, though President Trump has insisted Iran must address nuclear weapons concerns first.

2️⃣ 🇮🇷🇷🇺 Iran and Russia deepen strategic ties amid Hormuz crisis: Araghchi characterized the Moscow-Tehran relationship as a strategic partnership set to strengthen during meetings in Russia with senior diplomats. Kremlin spokesperson Peskov indicated Russia stands ready to offer mediation in future Iran settlement negotiations, emphasizing Moscow's commitment to ensuring durable peace.

3️⃣ 🇷🇺🇮🇷 Russia backs Iran's right to restrict Hormuz navigation: Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asserted Iran has authority to limit Strait of Hormuz traffic during wartime, citing coastal states' rights to restrict navigation for security when under attack. Nebenzia accused Western nations of hypocrisy for criticizing Tehran over shipping disruptions in the strategic waterway. 

4️⃣ 🇷🇺 Russian oligarch's yacht transits blocked Hormuz Strait: A superyacht tied to sanctioned billionaire Alexey Mordashov navigated the Strait of Hormuz from Dubai to Muscat despite the ongoing blockade that has slashed maritime traffic to a fraction of normal levels. 

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US and Iran clash at UN nuclear treaty review: Washington criticized Iran's election as vice president of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference, citing Tehran's refusal to grant inspectors access to sites bombed by the US last June. 

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇨🇳🇺🇸 Italy extradites alleged Chinese hacker to US: Italy extradited alleged Chinese hacker Xu Zewei to the US, where he faces accusations of spying for Beijing by targeting government entities and research institutes involved in COVID-19 vaccine development in 2020 and 2021. Xu, arrested at Milan’s airport last July, allegedly led hacking group Hafnium that exploited Microsoft Exchange Server software, though he has rejected the accusations and claimed possible mistaken identity.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦 Russian strikes hit Odesa, Ukraine claims attack on nuclear plant: Russian drone strikes on Odesa injured at least 11 people, including two children, while damaging residential buildings and port infrastructure. Russia-installed authorities at the captured Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant reported a Ukrainian drone attack killed a worker, while Russian forces launched 629 strikes across 45 settlements in the region in a single day.

3️⃣ 🇸🇴 Pirates hijack second cargo vessel off Somalia: Pirates are suspected of hijacking a cargo vessel off Somalia’s coast, the second such attack in less than a week, as maritime routes face severe disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz blockage. The Sward, carrying cement from Egypt to Kenya with a 15-person crew, was seized amid reduced anti-piracy patrols following redeployment of resources to counter Houthi threats.

4️⃣ 🇨🇦🇺🇸 Canada launches sovereign wealth fund amid US tensions: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of Canada’s first sovereign wealth fund with an $18.3 billion endowment, aimed at reducing economic reliance on the US amid what he described as a crumbling world order. The Canada Strong Fund will direct capital to energy, critical minerals and infrastructure.

5️⃣ 🇨🇴 Highway bombing kills 14 in wave of Colombian attacks: A highway bombing in southwestern Colombia killed at least 14 people and wounded at least 38, including five children, as part of what officials described as 26 terrorist attacks over two days across the Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions. Colombia’s government blamed dissident factions of the disbanded FARC militant group led by Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, with President Petro calling for maximum worldwide pursuit against the group.

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